Russian embassy in Malaysia confirms one Russian was on board of missing Boeing

The aviation company says on board were 227 passengers and twelve crew

BANGKOK, March 08, /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s embassy in Malaysia confirms the information one Russian citizen was on board of the missing Boeing, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

“The Russian embassy has been contacting closely Malaysia’s authorities and the aviation carrier. As yet we have not managed to get personal details of the Russian citizen. Neither do we have information as to what has happened to the flight’s all passengers,” the Russian embassy said.

On board of Boeing 777-200 of the Malaysia Airlines, which departed from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing and got missing from radars, were nationals of 13 countries.

The aviation company says on board were 227 passengers and twelve crew. Chinese citizens - 154, Malaysian - 38, Indonesian - 12, Australian - 7, the US - 4, France - 3, New Zealand, Canada and Ukraine - two each, Russia, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria - one each. Among the passengers were two children - from China and from the US.

The aviation carrier says the pilot is very experienced: his flying hours make 18,000. He has been working with the Malaysian Airlines since 1981.

The aviation company reports Malaysian authorities have begun a search and rescue mission. “Right now we are working with the rescue services and local authorities,” the company said.

The Boeing 777-200 is a long range, twin aisle, twin-engine jet manufactured by Boeing, the American aerospace company.